thy grace did superabound Therefore when thou say'st to me Psal 27.8 Seek thou my face my Heart shall ' answer thee Thy face Lord will I seek Yea O my God thou wilt very suddenly unvail it to me in thy Holy Paradise THEN she enter'd upon a most excellent Edifying Dialogue which is intended to be publish'd by it self with the Chaplain who protests she therein open'd his Understanding in a most wonderful manner and after that spoke to the Lady her Mother thus Dear Mother my Soul is possess'd with that Peace of God which passes all understanding The Lord has sought and found me O how good is my Lord and Saviour that He the Just One should have given himself for the Vnjust After which she rehearsed several sentences out of the 119th Psalm and namely these My soul faints for thy salvation Psal 119.81 but I hope in thy Word I am thine save me v. 94. for I have sought thy Precepts How sweet are thy words to my taste yea v. 103. sweeter than honey to my mouth Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path v. 105. Vphold me according to thy Word that I may live v. 116. and let me not be ashamed of my hope AND now reflecting upon her past sorrows and disquiets she cry'd with David Psal 31.22 I said in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes nevertheless thou heardst the voice of my supplications when I cry'd unto thee Preserve me my undoubted aid Psal 16.1 Sandys To whom thou O my soul hast said Thou art my God no good in me Nor merit can extend to thee But to thy blessed Saints that dwell On Earth whose graces most excel To the safe path of Life direct my way v. 11. Woodford Thy presence where perpetual joys flow o're Whose pleasure spring for evermore By those clear streams let me delighted stay And melt away in love as well as they She often repeated Come ye blest Saints Psal 34.3 and let us rise Together with our Songs and reach the Skies Praise him who my first groan did hear v. 4. Yet with his hand seem'd to prevent his ear And when like mine v. 5. your troubles be But look to him that hand shall save you which help'd me And here she proceeded thus Who shall in thy Tent abide Psal 15. Sand. On the Holy Hill reside He that 's just and innocent Tells the truth of his intent Slanders none with venom'd tongue Fears to do his Neighbour wrong Fosters not base infamies Vice beholds with scornful eyes Honours those who fear the Lord Keeps though to his loss his word Takes no bribes for wicked ends Nor to use his money lends Who by these directions guide Their pure steps shall never slide THOV hast dealt graciously with thy servant Psal 119.65 O Lord according to thy word It is that word that gives wisdom to the simple therefore I will never forget it To this she added also divers other places of the Scripture and then meditating a little she said Now my fear is over Rom. 8.1 and with St. PAVL There is now no condemnation to me who am in CHRIST JESVS v. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of god's Elect It is God that justifies v. 34. Who is he that condemns It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is ever at the right hand of God making intercession for us Upon which the Chaplain taking occasion to tell her she had done like that prudent Merchant in the Gospel who sought for and bought that Pearl of Price she answer'd Aye 't is my Saviour has made me a Present of this invaluable Jewel For Sir is it not true that none can affirm JESVS to be the LORD but by the Holy Ghost and that none can love him but by the same Spirit It is even He that has put this Word into the mouth of his Hand-maid O the unutterable Comfort and Relief this Word administers to me It is you my dear Mother speaking to my Lady who taught it me you have so well instructed us and shewn us a good Example which I wish I had better improv'd By this you have procur'd our Family the favour of God whom I heartily pray to continue it and more and more increase his Blessings upon you and prosper all your ways To which discourse the Lady her Mother made this reply Dear Child these Instructions and edifying words you now utter I apply as so many Checks and Reproaches to my self for my not having perform'd my Duty in all respects as I ought to have done I pray god give me grace to do better for the future according to my Calling 1 Cor. 3.6 and as it is in vain that Paul plants and Apollos waters except God give the increase so I beseech him to prevent and bless my endeavours with his Divine Grace and Heavenly Benediction THE rest of that day and part of the following night also were spent in like Conversations But towards the morning the Patient took some little rest and as she awaked asked what a Clock it was To which they answering that it was upon the stroke of three she cry'd out O my God! shall the Sun shine once more upon my Sufferings Lord thou couldst if it were thy pleasure make this the Dawning of the Day of my Deliverance and Eternal Sabbath and then would I say with a holy transport of mind 2 Cor. 6.2 Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of Salvation UPON which the Lady her Mother said I hope every one of us shall once see that Day when we may say one to another Isal 60.20 Thy Sun shall go down no more for the Lord is an everlasting Light to thee and the days of thy mourning are ended ' Aye dear Mother answered she Yet a little while Heb. 10.37 and he that shall come will come and will not tarry This is the Day which he has made Psal 119.24 Woodf Hosanna's now befit our voice Come let us in our God rejoyce And in the Day which he has made be glad That be prosperity may send And to our troubles put an end Set open unto me the Gates v. 19. Old Transl Of Truth and Righteousness That I may enter into them The Lord's praise to express O Death thou that bring'st good tidings how welcome wouldst thou be to me by casting me into the Arms of my dearest Friend who has loved me before the foundation of the World THIS day she was visited again by one of her She-Friends who being come to her Bed-side express'd an extream sorrow to see her in this Condition and with that gave her her hand which the Patient squeezing in hers reply'd to her O my Dear did you but know the Divine Consolations my God has bestow'd upon me and how happy I am you
would confess with me that I should have been miserable without this his gracious Visitation AFTER this she had about an hour's sleep out of which being awaked she said What is our Life Jam. 4.14 Truly it is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away Psal 90.12 Therefore O Lord teach us so to number our days as that we may apply our hearts to Wisdom Psal 8.4 What is man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of Man that thou visitest him Psal 146.4 When his breath goes forth he returns to his Earth But we know 2 Cor. 5.1 that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolv'd we have a Building of God an House not made with hands Hag. 2.9 eternal in the Heavens And the glory of this latter House shall be greater than that of the former 2 Cor. 4.18 For the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal THEN she said Pray let my Chaplain be call'd in that he may comfort me O the comforts of the Holy Ghost are the refreshment of my Soul. LORD Psal 119.103 how sweet are thy words to my taste yea sweeter than honey to my mouth When the Chaplain was come in she said to him ' Come Sir Heb. 4.16 Let us go boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Whereupon he answering Why don't you say Let us go and implore for Mercy rather than say as with confidence you do Let us go that we may obtain mercy She reply'd Sir it is because I find a Redeemer there 1 Cor. 6.20 Joh. 6.37 who has bought me with a price and said Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out ' and I am perswaded 1 Joh. 1.9 He is faithful and just to keep his promise Aye Madam answered the Chaplain this Promise he has made to your Contrition Repentance and Faith. DURING this whole day which was Wednesday she spake many other admirable things that could not all of them be remember'd One would have thought by seeing her that her Soul was set loose from the Body She had quite forgot the Earth and all Ties and Relations here her onely thoughts being now to unite her self with her God by Meditation till she might be more perfectly united to him in Heaven ABOUT Evening she felt a great drought in her Throat and was very thirsty yet they durst not give her any thing by reason her Stomach could not bear so much as one drop of fair Water without bringing of it up and that with a vehement Cough accompani'd with a stoppage and shortness of breath they therefore onely call'd for an Epitheme to allay her great palpitation of heart But she little regarding the Relief they were willing to give her Body cry'd out on a sudden LORD JESUS thou my Heavenly Physician apply the Merits of thy precious Bloud to me for that alone can infallibly heal my Soul. IMMEDIATELY after this she fell into most cruel Agonies which made her take very little rest all that night But yet she continu'd to comfort her self in God seeking no-where else but in his Word for a Remedy to all her griefs And in these circumstances she often cry'd 1 Sam. 3.10 Speak O Lord for thy servant hears Speak thou O my God to the Soul of thy poor Hand-maid WHICH having said she asked a Gentleman that was opening the Windows of her Chamber what time of the day it was he answer'd It was almost day-light adding Madam why do you ask me this Question have you a mind to do as David did and rise by break of day to praise God No Sir reply'd she I can't do that but I will continually bless and magnifie him upon this my Bed of Languishing Early my God before 't is light Psal 63. Woodf And all the Stars are up but that which makes the day Whilst Heav'n alone with flames is bright And all below is hurl'd in sable veil of night Which they can neither draw nor take away Early I 'll worship and one glance from thee E're 't is with others day shall make it noon with me And as this dry and thirsty Land Where the ground ready to expire for want of Rain Gaping and out of breath does stand And shews its very bowels shrivled like its sand And having drunk gapes for more drink again The Wilderness and I in this agree For as that thirsts for Rain so Lord I thirst for thee I thirst thy glorious Power to see As I have seen it in thy Temple heretofore When ravish'd with thy love to me To die I was content could I but so love thee And so to die this Life would chuse no more Those thoughts so high my fainting Spirit do raise That through my lips they force their voice in Songs of praise For this Pll bless thee and on high To thy Great Name send up my praises whilst I live For since at present I enjoy A mind content it shall prepare for more supply Though thou at present onely that dost give E'en that shall bring my famish'd Soul more good Than what my body had from most delicious food Marrow and fatness it shall be And all the solid meats which please and feed the strong For I shall come at last to thee Who art the blessed End of all felicity And the best subject of my humble Song And on my Bed when I revolve thy might My Praises shall instead of Watches part the night ABOUT four of the Clock her Illness so increas'd upon her that she felt most intolerable pains which was perceiv'd both by the sharp Shreeks and lamentable Cries she from time to time put forth and by the violent Convulsion-sits she suffer'd that distorted her Arms and bent her Body double But for all this her mind was still the same and lost nothing of its strength and freedom IN one of these Fits she did cry to God Lord have mercy on me Mat. 26.39 Let this Cup pass from me Nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt In another Fit which one would have thought would have thrown her out of her Bed so vehemently it toss'd her Body she cry'd out Thunder lightning bruise break to pieces and do what thou wilt with this poor Body yet will I still love thee O my God! Yea I will always bless thee for thy wondrous Love and Mercy to me AT another time as she felt a Fit a coming again upon her said Verily Thine arrows have wounded me already Yet O my God though thou shouldst multiply thy Plagues upon me to infinity yet would that but the more increase my love towards thee Hear me O Lord Psal 69.16 for thy loving kindness is good turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies v. 17. And hide not thy face from thy
him and to him are all things to whom be glory for e-ever Amen Lord Jesu added she thou said'st in that Prayer thou didst put up fir thine Apostles Joh. 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their words I have believed on thee through their words Thou didst therefore O Lord even then pray for thy poor Hand-maid Lord thou didst say v. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou bast given me be with me where I am O grant I beseech thee that where thou art I may be also to the end I may behold thy Glory to all Eternity Then hearing some of the Company say that she spake well It is not I answered she that speak but the Holy Ghost that speaks in me to whom he has given the Tongue of the Learned O Hearken to me therefore and I will tell you what he has done for my Soul. O joyn with me in returning him thanks for his unspeakable Gift 2 Cor. 9.15 IN the mean time she frequently clapt her hands and shouted for joy often repeating these words O the greatness of my Happiness How can I express the content of my Soul That blessed Comforter has overcome for me and is sent to cohabit with me He I say is come to me who is the Fountain of Life and in whose Light alone we can see light How many wonderful favours have I receiv'd from my good God! Psal 116.10 What shall I render unto him for all the Benefits that he has done to me Gen. 32.10 who am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which he has shewn to his Servant and wherewith he has fill'd my Soul. Wherefore with joy and gladness my mouth shall praise his Holy Name O Lord how much inriched am I with those excellent gifts of thy Grace Thou hast wiped away all tears from my eyes Rev. 7.17 2.17 Thou bast given me the white Stone and in that Stone a new Name which no man knows saving he that has it I shall be fatisfied with the fatness of thy House Psal 36.8 and thou shalt make me drink of the River of thy Pleasures Psal 23. The Lord is my Shepherd therefore can I lack nothing He shall make me lie down in green Pastures and lead me forth beside the still Waters He shall convert my Soul and lead me in the paths of Righteousness for his Name 's sake Yea though I walk through the Valbey of the shadow of Death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy Rod and thy Staff comforts me Thou preparest a Table before me thou hast anointed my heard with Oyl and my cup runs over Surely loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the Lord for ever WHAT am I O Lord my Saviour What am I that thou shouldst vouchsafe to make my heart thy habitation I bless thee I adore thee I glorifie thee I give thanks to thee for thy great mercy O Lord my God and heavenly Father And you my dear Friends speaking to them that stood by help me to return the thanks and praise due unto his Name Which having said she cry'd aloud Luk. 1.46 My Soul does magnifie the Lord and my Spirit has rejoyced in God my Saviour for he has regarded the lowliness of his Hand-maid How great is the goodness of God towards me who has taken pity of me O how exceeding charitable and loving is my Saviour who has extended this his great love towards me even when I was an Enemy to him yea he did knock at the door of my heart and enter in even at that time when I would have shut it against him and spake peace to my Soul. O the Abyss of Mercy and Love that He very God and man should suffer a shameful Death upon the Cross to redeem both my Body and Soul from eternal Damnation O my God my heavenly Saviour I see as it were Rivers of Bloud running out of those Wounds in thy Blessed Hands Feet and Side which are as so many Rivers of Grace that have made me whiter than Snow I therefore from a true heart love adore and embrace thee beseeching thee O thou Sun of Righteousness to shine in my Soul inlighten it with the knowledge purifie it with the fear and inflame it with the love of Thee make it partaker of thy Holiness and happiness and when it has put off this weak and frail Body grant that at the last day it may re-assume it in a glorified state and both of them reign with thee for ever and ever Amen AS she was in those Transports of Mind looking up stedfastly to Heaven a Gentleman of the Neighbourhood then present said to the Lady her Mother That he thought her Daughter might very well say with Holy Stephen Behold Act. 7.56 I see the Heavens open'd and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. Which the Patient hearing cry'd out Yea indeed I behold him and like St. Paul am placed in the view of things that are unspeakable And you my dear Friends how is it you don't see the same with me This Mercy which is not vouchsafed to every one God will shew you one day Then stirring up her self she said Psal 103.1 Praise the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me praise his Holy Name v. 2. Praise the Lord o my Soul and forget not all his Benefits Psal 34.1 Yea I will alway give thanks unto the Lord his praise shall ever be in my mouth v. 3. O praise the Lord with me and let us magnifie his Name together Let the whole World O God Psal 145.21 Woodf sing praise to thee And like mine may their Songs eternal be Oh how much in love am I with my Saviour for that he has heard my Prayer and inclined his Ear to me Therefore I will call upon him as long as I live Luk. 2.14 Glory be to God on high and on Earth peace good will towards men Lord v. 29. now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace according to thy Word For mine eyes have seen thy Salvation v. 36. AFTER she had rehearsed these and several other places of Scripture with which she often mixt these words Oh! how great is my Happiness how surpassing my Joy she did sit up in her Bed and with an admirable gracefulness spake to the Standers-by in this manner O taste and see Psal 34.8 Patr. as I have done And then confess you must That God is good and thy are blest That in his Goodness trust Come to me with attention hear v. 11. Sand. I will instruct you in his fear O come and hear all ye that fear God Psal 66.16 and I will declare what he has done for my Soul. v. 17. I cry'd unto him